Cleadon SC have a four-point lead over Stokesley SC at the top of the table after they secured their eighth win in 11 attempts.

The latest victory came against Gateshead Reserves and, despite playing the last 25 minutes with 10 men, Cleadon held out for a 1-0 victory.

The only goal came on the hour when Mark Johnson went down in the box and leading scorer Andrew Quinn confidently tucked away the penalty.

Five minutes later Johnson was sent off for a second bookable offence but, despite pressing in search of an equaliser, Gateshead failed to claim reward for their efforts.

Stokesley SC, who have played the same number of games as Cleadon SC, regained winning form against Jarrow at Perth Green.

They led by an only goal from Jonathan Newton after 30 minutes but, when Dean Patton was red-carded in the 55th minute, Stokesley took over.

Dean Talukder rifled a hat-trick and substitute James Alsop took the final score to 5-0.

North Shields and New Marske, who were not involved in league matches, have 22 points - the same number as Stokesley SC - and both teams have a game in hand on the two leading sides.

Birtley Town, now sixth, were involved in a six-goal thriller at Harton and Westoe. They led through Anthony Lynch and Jason Jones before Shaun Simpson, with a brace, and Jonathan Mullen pulled the game around for the home side. Lynch, though, scored a second to earn Birtley a 3-3 draw.

Washington Nissan UK moved off the bottom when they recorded their first win of the season after 11 attempts. Jason Flanagan put them in front on 21 minutes and there were only four minutes remaining when substitute Jamie Owens headed in a second goal to see off visitors Annfield Plain, who have slipped to fourth from the basement.

Ferryhill Athletic are now bottom and are the only side yet to record a victory. They suffered a 6-1 defeat at Whitehaven.

Ajit Sanders threw them a lifeline when he reduced the arrears following goals by Craig Robson and Jonathan Wright in the opening 28 minutes.

Ferryhill, however, failed to make further inroads as Robson completed his hat-trick and other goals flowed from Malcolm Holliday and John Murphy.

Darlington RA were another side to go nap in their home fixture with Windscale.

Paul Freary celebrated his return to the side with a hat-trick, with Martin Brown and Stephen Sinclair adding to the woes of Windscale, whose sole reply was by Mark Young in the last minute.

Wolviston and Ryhope CW were involved in a 3-3 thriller. Ryhope, who twice led, grabbed an injury-time equaliser with a penalty by Stephen Leadbitter after Kevin Benison was fouled.